The Tigers have been ticketed for the postseason since they signed Prince Fielder last offseason. The Oakland Athletics never were expected to make it. Both clubs arrive on a roll, having won eight of their past 10 games. But only one team gets to roll on.

THREE QUESTIONS

1. How much will strikeouts hurt the A’s? Oakland hitters led the majors in strikeouts. Tigers pitchers broke the franchise record for strikeouts, led by the majors’ top strikeout pitchers: Game 1 starter Justin Verlander and scheduled Game 4 starter Max Scherzer.

But all these K’s figure to affect the length of the games more than the outcome of the games. Despite striking out once every 4.2 plate appearances after the All-Star break, the A’s still led the majors in runs and homers in the second half. One reason: They walk a lot, too, finishing third behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the AL.

2. How much will a lack of playoff experience affect the A’s? Four players in Oakland’s projected Game 1 lineup have played in a total of 39 postseason games. Fielder and Miguel Cabrera together have played in more.

Still, the A’s have two factors in their favor: They are famous for their loosey-goosey clubhouse; and, unlike the Tigers, they aren’t worried about fulfilling great expectations. But even if they are cool enough to brush off the enhanced pressure and increased scrutiny that comes in the postseason, the A’s have to deal with unfamiliar distractions.

“Tickets, travel, hotels, picking up people at the airport,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland says. “It does get a little draining if you’re not careful. We’ve educated our players on that.”

3. How much will the A’s pitch around the Triple Crown winner? There is little doubt that having Fielder batting cleanup aided Cabrera’s efforts to win the Triple Crown.

“Oh, they still walked Miggy,” Verlander says. “They just weren’t able to walk him as much.” Cabrera’s walks decreased to 66 this season from 108 in 2011 even though he played 161 games both seasons.

But expect the A’s to pitch around Cabrera more than most teams. Fielder went 2-for-27 against Oakland this season. Cabrera went 14-for-29 with 14 RBIs in helping the Tigers take the season series, 4-3.

7. DH Seth Smith: With 14 homers, was one of eight A’s with at least 10

8. C George Kottaras: Platoons with right-handed-hitting Derek Norris

9. 2B Cliff Pennington: Better with glove, bat (.276 to .194) at second base than short

Rotation

RHP Jarrod Parker: Posted a 2.61 ERA at home, 4.64 on road

LHP Tommy Milone: Had a 3.09 ERA in two starts vs. Tigers

LHP Brett Anderson: Healthy after oblique injury

RHP A.J. Griffin: Struggled in three of his past four starts

Closer

RHP Grant Balfour: 17 straight saves since returning to the role in August

TALE OF THE TAPE

Offense: The A’s led the majors in runs and homers in the second half but don’t have Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, “who have to be the game’s best 3-4 tandem,” Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost said this week. Edge: Tigers

Rotation: Brett Anderson’s return boosts Oakland, but Detroit has four veterans who all pitched well in September. The Tigers also have the game’s best starter, who can go twice on regular rest if series goes distance. Edge: Tigers